Energy Efficient Air mind-blowing experience

1 4 Saturday, July 29, 2017(The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of this newspaper.) Energy Efficient Air Conditioning SystemThe country is spending huge resources in generating electricity and providing it to the residents at subsidized and affordable rates. The electricity generated is used in domestic, commercial, industrial and agricultural sectors. However, the major Energy demand is by the residential sector, which consumes more than 45 % of the Energy produced. The demand for electricity is continuously growing due to population increase, development, urbanization, industrialization and commercialization. Thus, Energy Efficiency has become a mandatory term and idea to be utilized in every sphere it is being of domestic uses, air-conditioning alone is the major source of electricity consumption in the Kingdom due to hot and humid weather especially in summer months when temperatures frequently exceed 40C.

2 The domestic electricity demand is high during the months from July till October every is assessed that the air-conditioning units accounts for major electricity consumption for households and commercial establishments. The current status shows that major air conditioning units are Energy in- Efficient and are not maintained properly leading to higher consumption of electricity and higher Energy bills for the consumers. The power rating and Energy efficiency of the AC units are considered to be less due to non-standardization, import and use of cheaper AC Star is an international standard for Energy Efficient consumer products originated in the United States. It was created in 1992 by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy .

3 Since then, many developed countries have adopted this program. Equipment and devices carrying the Energy Star service mark, such as computer products, peripherals, air conditioners, kitchen appliances, generally use 20 30% less Energy than normal equipment available in the market. Energy Star qualified room air conditioners are considered to be at least 10% more Energy Efficient than the minimum federal government standards. Improper installation of AC units can reduce system efficiency by up to 30%. Properly sized Energy Star qualified equipment can significantly reduce the annual Energy bill. Programmable thermostats, can save even more with improved Energy savings, home comfort and peace of mind that the equipment is operating at peak & Water Authority (EWA) in cooperation with several government and private bodies, has advised mandatory thermal insulation in buildings.

4 This came after it emerged that 75% of the total electricity consumed in Bahrain was the result of air conditioning and lighting. The EWA is urging all suppliers and manufacturers of ACs and lighting for the registration of their products with EWA and is providing the necessary support to all Ministry of Industry and Commerce issued Regulation regarding approval of efficiency code for window or split system non-ducted AC s aimed to reduce electric Energy consumption. The regulation on Energy labeling and minimum Energy requirements for ACs has been promulgated and was published in the Official Gazette on 20th August 2015 and was enforced last year. The new code is another success for Bahrain in Energy saving and environmental protection that is compatible with global trends and regulations to conserve Energy , protect the environment, curb waste and improve Energy Regulation on Energy efficiency for ACs was released by EWA to regulate the Energy efficiency in the country.

5 This regulation provides the star ratings for ACs based on the EER ( Energy Efficiency Ratio). The star ratings are from 1 to 6 and it is determined by factory tests conducted at set temperature conditions. A ton split AC has cooling capacity of 18000 BTU/hr. For a 1 star AC the Annual power consumption is approx. 2400 units and 6 star AC is 1750 units. The Annual power savings of 6 star AC over 1 star AC is approx. 650 units. Thus, Energy efficiency will reduce electricity costs and will result in a financial cost saving to consumers. This means the higher the star rating, higher will be the Energy savings which will in turn will save our electricity is heartening to note that air conditioners will now be available in Bahrain with its Energy efficiency based on the Energy Star system.

6 The legal Decree has been issued by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. The move comes as a means to import Efficient equipment and ultimately reduce Energy consumption of ACs in the Kingdom. Let us use Energy Efficient AC system, use minimum lighting during day time and when ACs are working, avoid leaving doors, windows, ventilators, curtains open when ACs are working, adjust the thermostat to 24-25 C, switch off the exhaust fans when ACs are working, clean the AC filters regularly and do service and maintenance of ACs. * Head of Waste Disposal Unit, Supreme Council for Environment, Kingdom of Bahrain (Email: mind-blowing Amin enjoysexperienceBudapestLike many her age, Bahraini teenager Ritaj Amin, 13, likes listening to American pop idol Charlie Puth on her phone, reading books, and wearing nail polish.)

7 This week though, as the youngest competitor at the world championships in Budapest, Amin has been rubbing shoulders with swimming greats like US superstar Katie Ledecky, and South Africa s Chad Le Clos. I used to watch Le Clos on the phone and now he s over there in front of my face, it s mind-blowing , I can t really believe it, she told AFP Friday at the meet venue. Benefitting from the Bahraini federation s policy of putting young swimmers on the world stage, Amin has followed closely in the slipstream of Alzain Tareq who was 10 when she competed at the last world championships in Kazan, Russia, in 2015. After a rule change by the sport s governing body FINA, Tareq -- my best friend says Amin -- was unable to swim in Bahrain s fastest female swimmer, Amin posted a personal best in her 50m butterfly heat on Friday, although she fell well short of reaching the semi-final, over 10 seconds behind pace-setting Olympic champion Sweden s Sarah Sjostrom.

8 I m proud though of what I achieved today and before, said the youngster, who began the sport when she was just six. Seven years since then is not a lot of time to get to this level of competition, she said. I just checked my phone, the messages from friends and family, and Alzain, are flooding in .With her mother and brother watching from the stand in Budapest, she said she kept her eyes firmly focused on getting her dive right. I was shaking with nerves before I got on the start block, if I had looked up and seen my mum I would have started crying, she said. I was so nervous it took me three hours to drop off to sleep last night, she two hours before and after school every day, her dream is to take part in the 2020 Olympic Games in is her second major meet after she attended a World Cup event in Dubai last shy to approach stars like Britain s Adam Peaty or Ryan Murphy (United States), she introduces herself, and asks for tips on technique, as well as selfies.

9 Hungarian Olympic champion Katinka Hosszu told her in Dubai that being the best is all about technique in the 50 fly, the kick needs to be strong to win the race, she said. Hosszu and Ledecky, who have won one and four gold medals respectively so far in Budapest, are particular heroes for the teenager. Katinka is an all-rounder who tries new things like backstroke and fly every single competition she goes to, while Katie sprints the whole race, no matter if it s 800 or 1500 metres, she said. I ll try to do that one time and see how far I get, I just like trying things, she added with a grin.(AFP) I used to watch Le Clos on the phone and now he s over there in front of my face Ritaj Amin of Bahrain during 17th FINA World Aquatics Championships.

10 Picture courtesy of Reuters